ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
TikTok to limit screen time for users under 18

Home> News

Published 15:31 1 Mar 2023 GMT

TikTok to limit screen time for users under 18

They will only be able to use the app for 60 minutes a day.

Emma Guinness

Emma Guinness

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

If you're a TikTok user, then you'll know that the app is seriously addictive.

I've lost count of the number of times I've got into bed, said I'd treat myself to 10 minutes on the app, and still been scrolling hours later. You never know what you're going to find on TikTok:

Now, in a bid to combat the addictive nature of the platform, a time limit has been introduced for users under the age of 18.

Advert

News of the new feature was announced today (1 March), when TikTok announced that anyone under 18 will be unable to use the app for more than 60 minutes a day.

After this, users will be asked to enter a passcode if they want to continue using the app.

The China-based social media company will also be introducing further protections for children in the form of automatically setting profiles belonging to users aged 13 to 15 to private.

Parents and guardians will also be given the opportunity to limit children's usage of the app and they can turn off TikTok notifications at certain times - such as when children are in school.

In addition to this, only users over the age of 18 will be allowed to go 'Live' on TikTok and those under 16 on the app will not be able to direct message each other.

Under-18s will no longer be able to scroll TikTok for hours on end.
Alamy / True Images

While the new features have only just been announced, TikTok said that they will be available 'in the coming weeks.'

Cormac Keenan, Head of Trust and Safety at TikTok, said in a statement: "While there's no collectively-endorsed position on how much screen time is 'too much', or even the impact of screen time more broadly, we recognise that teens typically require extra support as they start to explore the online world independently."

The magnitude of today's news for teens can't be underestimated either, as they are some of the app's biggest users.

The Pew Research centre conducted a study in August of last year that found that 67 percent of American teenagers used the app - and 16 percent of teenagers worldwide said they were on it 'constantly'.

16 percent of teens said they use TikTok 'constantly'.
Alamy / GH tech

Keenan added in the statement about today's changes: "Today we're announcing new features for teens, families, and our broader community.

"We believe digital experiences should bring joy and play a positive role in how people express themselves, discover ideas, and connect."

The 60-minute time limit was established in conjunction with the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital, the Mail Online reports.

Featured Image Credit: AG News / fStop Images GmbH / Alamy

Topics: TikTok

Emma Guinness
Emma Guinness

Recommended reads

Ryanair cancels millions of seats on flights to holiday hotspotsSean Gallup/Getty ImagesRalph Fiennes explains why he isn't playing Voldemort again in new Harry Potter seriesWarner BrosBookmaker owes punter £900,000 after huge bet on Grand National winsMichael Steele/Getty ImagesWho will be exempt from US army draft as government 'automatically register' young menRoberto Schmidt/Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

14 hours ago
15 hours ago
  • Michael Steele/Getty Images
    14 hours ago

    Bookmaker owes punter £900,000 after huge bet on Grand National wins

    Some very lucky punter bet £100k on the winning horse

    News
  • Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
    14 hours ago

    Who will be exempt from US army draft as government 'automatically register' young men

    The new rule change should come in from December, but here is who will be exempt

    News
  • Instagram/thedolab
    14 hours ago

    Woman shocked after intimate wardrobe malfunction makes it into Coachella advert

    She had an unfortunate mishap while partying at the festival

    News
  • Catherine De Noire
    15 hours ago

    Legal brothel manager explains important '8 second rule' that they enforce

    It's been keeping staff safe and sound for years

    News
  • Windows users about to get major change to 'blue screen of death' when computer fails
  • Parents accused of ‘tattooing’ screaming baby for sickening TikTok video
  • Netflix sets major record for first time in 18 years with film watched for 350,000,000 hours
  • ChatGPT causes outrage after it refuses to do one task for users